Grinding machinery



July 14, 1931. F. J. THELER GRINDING MACHINERY 3 sheets sheet l Filed Aug. 5. 1929 y 1931. F. .1. THELER 1,814,351

GRINDING MACHINERY Fil ed Aug. 5, 1929 s sneaks-sheet 5 WM m4 Patented July 14, 1931 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK J. THELER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO CINCINNATI GRINDERS INCORPORATED, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO GRINDING MACHINERY Application filed August 5,

This invention relates to improvements in grinding machinery and has particular ref: erence to that type of mechanism in which control of rotation of the Work piece is effected by a regulating Wheel member as distinguished from previous centering or chucking methods.

One of the principal objects of the present inventionis the provision of a mechanism of 1b this type which will eliminate loss of grinding time hitherto experienced on account of intermittent introduction and removal of Work piecesfrom the machine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of simplified means for automatically engaging work pieces, presenting them in grinding position and subsequently discharging the completed work pieces and in which the flow of work pieces to and through grindzt ing position shall be continuous but in a direction transversely of the axis of the Work piece.

A further object of the invention is the provision of mechanism applicable to standard type commercial through-feed centerless grinders which will enable the same to be utilized for substantially continuous presentation and grinding of work in a direction normal to that of regular through-feed grinding.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying o. drawings, and it Will be understood that .I may make any modifications in the specific structural details hereinafter disclosed, Within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section as on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section at right angles thereto on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section as on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

1929. Serial No. 383,459. I

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view I of a modified form of mechanism embodying the present invention, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 5.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 designates tne bed of a conventional type centerless grinder having rising therefrom the housing 11, in which is rotatably mounted the grinding Wheel 12 adapted to be rotated at a high grinding rate of speed in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1.

Mounted on the ways 13 on the bed in opposition to the housing 1 1 is a slide 14 adjustable toward and from the grinding wheel as by screw 15 and pilot wheel 16. This slide bears a housing 17 for the regulating wheel drive mechanism and has secured thereto a frame 18 including a journal 19 for the regulating wheel spindle 20. This spindle is operated in the conventional manner at a slow rate of speed in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and 1s provided wlth a tapered journal portion 21, normally intended to receive the collet of the regulating wheel.

Rising from the frame 18 is a support 22 having ways 23 for the trueing mechanism slide unit 24, which has a portion 25 depending within the frame 18 bearing an adjustable block 26 overlying the tapered portion of spindle 20.

For purposes of the present invention, in place of the tapered journal portion 21 of the spindle, having mounted thereon a standard regulating wheel collet, it has keyed thereto the inner portion of the adapter cylinder 27 having a shoulder portion, as at 28, to receive the abrasive ring wheel 29 secured in position as by clamp ring 30 and bolts 81. The member 27 is provided with the central socket, as at 32,-the inner port-ion of which is occupied by the retaining nut 33 on the end of spindle 20.

Block 26 bears a forwardly projecting rod 34. having a trueing diamond or the like. as at 45a, projectable in one position of shoe unit 24 to overlie ring 29 for the purpose of trueing the surface thereof.

Secured to the forward face of the frame 18 is a" plate 36. Attachment is made as by bolts 80 engaged in the elongated slots 81 of the plate. Consequently the plate and unit supported thereby may be given a transverse adjustment with respect to the regulating wheel spindle, to determine the relative eccentric or off-centering positioning of the parts, while in addition the spindle, frame and attached unit may be adjusted as an entirety by rotation of screw 15. Fitted into the plate is annulus 37 of casing 38. A bushing 39 in the annulus provides a bearing for hub 40 of the rotary carrier member 41 keyed to spindle 42, which su ports on its outer end the worm' gear 43. barrier 41, it will be noted, is therefore supported for revolution on the inner face of plate 36 and has the laterally extending flange portion, as at 44, disposed in circumscribing relation to the ring 29. By reference to Figure 4, it will be noted the centers of rotation of spindle 20 and carrier 41 are laterally ofiset with respect to .each other in a substantially horizontal plane so that the inner portion of the carrier within the throat between the grinding wheel 18 and regulating wheel or ring 29 more closely approaches the regulating wheel than the other circumscribing portions thereof. 1

The casing 38 has adjustably mounted thereon a cap member 45, in which is journaled shaft 46 bearing worm 47 in driving engagement with worm wheel 43 on spindle 42. Proper'adjustment of the cap and thus of the worm, with respect to the worm wheel, may be efiected by rotation of adjusting screws 48 and 49, while the parts may be clamped in desired, adjusted position by cap screws 50. Shaft 46 bears a pulley 51, coupled by belt 52 with the speed transmission unit 53 driven as by motor 54. In this manner power is applied to member 41 for rotation in a counter clockwise direction at a definitely controlled rate.

Member 41 may be termed of skeleton formation, in that it comprises a main disc or wheel as designated by the numeral 41, having the fiangesor ribs 44 on one face providing pockets, as at 55, to receive individual work pieces, which are here indicated as nonmetallic caster members or the like, comprising discs 56 having the lateral hub projections 57. A closure plate 58, secured to member 41, completes the lateral bounds of pockets 55. Disc 41 and plate 58 are formed with the flaring grooves 59 and 60 respectively adapted to loosely receive the hub portions 57 of the work piece. It will be noted particularly, by reference to Figure 4, that the width of the overlying portion of the carrier member having the pockets therein is less than the diameter of the work pieces to be received within the pockets and that the pockets are open both at their outer and inner portions. Engagement of the hubs of the work piece with the bottoms of the grooves 59 and 60 limit the inward movement of the work. pieces, allowing them to depend sufiiciently for initial engagement by the regulating wheel unit, while their diametrically opposed portions project beyond the carrier for engagement of the grinding wheel when they are moved into the operative throat of the machine.

A suitable grooved feed magazine, located as at 61, overlies the path of movement of the pockets in position to allow the lowermost work piece therein to drop into an empty pocket passing beneath themagazine. In this manner the several pockets are automatically loaded with work pieces as the ro- I tary disc or carrier shifts the pockets successively toward the grinding throat.

The machine illustrated is particularly designed for removal of the peripheral fin, as at 62, on molded metal, bakelite or other casters 56. In effecting the grinding, a series of Work pieces are placed within the ma azine 61 and the regulating wheel unit is shifted inward toward the grinding wheel by rotation of pilot wheel 16 until the separation between grinding wheel 12 and the control ring 29 is just that of the desired ultimate diameter of a finished perfect caster. Power is then suitably applied to the grinding and regulating wheels for rotation thereof, and at the same time carrier 41 is driven in a counter clockwise direction. by power supplied from motor 54. As the carrier rotates, the work pieces will fill up the individual pockets, as indicated in Figure 4, and will then move the work pieces substantially circumferential of the regulating wheel. In initial movement, the Work pieces are supported out of engagement with the surface of the regulating wheel by contact of the hub portions 57 thereof with the bottom of grooves 59 and 60. As the work approaches operative or grinding position, however, the

eccentric relationship of the carrier and regulating wheel will bring the work pieces into engagement with the slowly rotating or shift ing surface of the control member and initial pre-rotation will be imparted thereto. On continued movement, the work pieces will be pressed slightly outward in the pockets and.

their peripheries will particularly rest up, on the transverse supporting pin 63. This pin is preferably provided with an anti-friction roller 64 for engagement with the lateral portions of the periphery of the work and has a groove at 65 into which the fin 62 projects.

In the continuedrotary movement of the carrier, the work passes between the proximate portions of the grinding and regulating wheels forming the work receiving throat The regulating wheel controls the rate of rotation of the individual work piece on its individual roller rest, urging the same outward in the pocket as the work moves into the common axial plane of the grinding and regulating wheels, so that the fin 62 is properly removed and the periphery of the work suitably formed by the. grinding throat. Continued movement of the carrier progresses the work beyond the grinding throat to a point where the work piece will roll out of the pocket when near its lowermost position, as is indicated in Figure 4.

' By reference to Figures 2 and 4, it will be noted that the carrier 41 has a cutaway portion or recess, as at 66, which may be brought into alignment with trueing bar 34 and permits the bar to be projected therethrough in its traversing movement for trueing of the regulating ring.

In Figure 6 is illustrated a modification of the invention for intermittent progression of the work in place of continuous movement thereof. The mechanism in this instance is identical in all essential respects, with the exception that spindle 42 is provided with a pair of ratchet discs 67 and 68 respectively. Ratchet 67 has tapered positioning notches 69 for engagement by spring pressed latch 70 adapted to snap downward into a particular notch as it rides over a double tapered tooth 71 on disk 67, serving to accentuate the rate of movement of the disc, pushing it forward to predetermined grinding position with the axes of grinding wheel, regulating wheel and work piece in a particular pocket in substantially a common plane. Disc 68, on the other hand, is provided with a series of normal type ratchet teeth 72, successively engageable by pawl 73 pivoted to rock arm or link 74 oscillatable about spindle 42 as a center. Oscillationof the arm is effected through link 75, pivoted atits upper end to the eccentric pin 76 on disk 77 driven from v the transmission or reducing gear unit 53.

In the operation of this form of the invention the link is given a rapid reciprocation by the cam, imparting a step by step advance movement to the carrier with intermittent momentary dwells of the work in proper grinding position in the throat for sizing thereof, after which the carrier is advanced moving the work downward to its discharge position.

From the foregoing description the operation and advantages of the present structure should be readily apparent and it will be seen that there has been provided an improved mechanism for application to the basic units of a standard centerless grinder and substitution for the ordinary fixed work rest thereof. These devices make it possible I to utilize the basic units for a substantially continuous grinding action on successive work pieces being moved transversely of the grinding throat and properly steadied against twisting or other distorting movement while within the throat. In this way, articles which on account of their shape or configuration could not be satisfactorily and rapidly produced by the through-feed method of grinding, may be acted upon in a substantially continuous manner with a rate of production properly comportable that through-feed grinding may be effected. Consequently, the idle time of the machine is re duced to a minimum through elimination of wheel separation variations in connection with individual work pieces or grinding delays while work is introduced to and re moved from a stationary work rest.

What is claimed is:

1. A grinding machine including a grinding wheel rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed and an opposed slowly rotating regulating wheel member disposed in opposition to the grinding wheelbut spaced therefrom to provide an intermediate'work receiving throat, the regulating wheel being rotatable at a slow work controlling rate of speed with its operative face moving in opposition to the direction of movement of the grinding wheel, and a Work carrier circumscribing the operative portion of the regulating wheel in eccentric relation thereto, said overlying portion projecting into the throat between the grinding and regulating wheels and having a plurality of terminally open pockets formed therein for support of work pieces during grinding, the width of said member being less than the minimumwidth of the grinding throat whereby work pieces carried thereby will project at opposite ends of the pockets for engagement respectively by the grinding and regulating wheels as the work pieces are carried through the throat.

2. A grinding machine including a grinding wheel rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed and an opposed slowly rotating regulating wheel member disposed in opposition to the grinding wheel but spaced therefrom to provide an intermediate work receiving throat, the regulating wheel being rotatable at a slow work controlling rate of speed with its operative face moving in opposition to the direction of movement of the grinding wheel, a work carrier circumscribing the operative portion of the regulating wheel in eccentric relation thereto, said overlying portion projecting into the throat between the grinding and regulating wheels and having a plurality of terminally open pockets formed therein for support of work pieces during grinding, the Width of said member being less than the minimum width of the grinding throat whereby work pieces carrled thereby will project at opposite ends of the pockets for engagement respectively by the grinding and regulatingwheels as the Work pieces are carried through the throat, and

I to, said overlying portion projecting into 'therefrom to provide an intermediate work receiving throat, the regulating wheel being rotatable at a slow work controlling rate of speed with its operative face moving in opposition to the direction of movement of the grinding wheel, and a work carrier circumscribing the operative portion of the regulating wheel in eccentric-relation there the throat between the grinding and regulating wheels and having a plurality of terminally open pockets formed therein for support of work pieces during grinding, the width of said member being less than the minimum width of the grindingthroat whereby work pieces carried thereby will project at opposite ends of the pockets for engagement respectively by the grinding and regulating wheels as the work pieces are carried through the. throat, the individual pockets having supplemental supporting means for engaging the periphery of a work piece when in operative position in the grinding throat.

, 4. A grinding machine including a grinding wheel rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed and an opposed slowly rotating regulating wheel member disposed in opposition to the grinding Wheel but spaced therefrom to provide an intermediate work receiving throat, the regulating wheel being rotatable at a slow Work controlling rate of speed with its operative face moving in opposition to the direction of movement of the grinding wheel, and a work carrier circumscribing the operative 'portion of the regulating wheel in eccentric relation thereto, said overlying portion projecting into the throat between the grinding and regulating wheels and having a plurality of terminally open pockets formed therein for support of work pieces during-grinding, the width of said member being less than the minimum width of 1 the grinding throat whereby work pieces carried thereby will project at opposite ends of the pockets for engagement respectively by the grinding and regulating wheels as the work pieces are carried through the throat, the individual pockets having supplemental supporting means for engaging the peripheryof a work piece when in operative position in the grinding throat, said means having a central relieved portion for reception of a peripheral projection on the work whereby the work position is determined during grinding by engagement of the sup' ort with selected portions only of the perip ery of the work.

5 A machine for grinding selected portions of the periphery of discs or the like including a grinding wheel operable at a high grinding rate of speed, an opposed regulating wheel operable at a sloW work controlling rate of speed, a rotatable work carrier circumscribing one of said wheels in eccentric relation thereto, said carrier having a plurality of work receiving pockets of less width than the diameter of the work piece, whereby the work piece may project from opposite ends of the pocket, and individual work supports in the pockets, each having supporting portions for engagement with spaced circumferential bands on the periphery of the work piece and a relieved portion disposed in opposition to the selected peripheral portion of the work to be acted upon by the grinding wheel.

6. In a grinding machine the combination with a bed or support, of a grinding wheel carried thereby and rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed, a frame unit carried by the bed, a slowly rotating spindle journaled in the unit, a regulating Wheel member carried by the spindle and disposed within the frame. a work carrier unit comprising a plate for attachment to the frame, a carrier mounted for rotation upon the inner face of the plate and having work supporting portions projecting in circumscribing relation to the regulating wheel, and means exteriorly disposed on the plate for effecting rotation of the carrier.

7. In a grinding machine the combination with a bed or support, of a grinding wheel carried thereby and rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed, a frame unit carried by the bed, a slowly rotating spindle j ournaled in the unit, a regulating wheel member carried by the spindle and disposed within the frame, a work carrier unit comprising a plate for attachment to the frame, a carrier mounted for rotation upon the inner face of the plate and having work supporting portions projecting in circumscribing relation to the regulating wheel, means exteriorly disposed on the plate for effecting rotation of the carrier, power driven means on the frame, and connections between said power driven means and the actuating means on the exterior of the plate for automatically operating the latter to rotate the carrier.

8. The combination with a centerless grinder,'including abed or support, a grinding wheel mounted thereon and rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed and a frame unit carried by the bed and having a spindle journaled therein, of a regulatingwheel member carried by the spindle in opposition to the grinding wheel, a support adjustably secured to the frame, a rotatable carrier journaled in the support and projecting in overlying relation to the regulating member, operating means for the carrier disposed on the opposite side of the support from said carrier, and power means coupled therewith for actuation of the carrier.

9. The combination with a centerless grinder including a bed or support, a grinding wheel mounted thereon and rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed and a frame unit carried by the bed and having a spindle j ournaled therein, of a regulating wheel member carried by the spindle in opposition to the grinding wheel, a support adjustably secured to the frame, a rotatable carrier journaled in the support and projecting in overlying relation to the regulating member, operating means for the carrier disposed on the 0pposite side of the support from said carrier, power means coupled therewith for actuation of the carrier, said means including a worm gear coupled with the carrier and a driving worm meshing therewith, and means for ad justing the relative positions of the worm and worm gear.

10. The combination with the regulating Wheel unit of .a centerless grinder including a frame and a spindle journaled therein, of an attachment therefor including a member having a portion for interfitting engagement with the spindle and a projecting cylindrical portion providing asocket to receive the spindle end nut, said cylindrical portion having a seat to receive a regulating wheel ring in laterally offset relation to the spindle, and means for securing the ring in position there- 11. The combination with the regulating wheel unit of a centerless grinder including a frame and a spindle journal-ed therein, of

an attachment therefor includinga member having a portion for interfitting engagement with the spindle and a projecting cylindrical portion providing a socket to receive the spindle end nut, said cylindrical portion having a seat to receive a regulating wheel ring in laterally offset relation to the spindle, means for securing the ring in position thereon, a support for attachment to the regulating wheel frame, and. a carrier unit pivoted to the support and having a' portion proj ecting in overlying relation to the regulating wheel ring and a securing portion projecting centrally thereof into the socketed portion of said cylindrical member.

12. The combination with the regulating wheel unit of a centerless grinder including a frame and a spindle journaled therein, of an attachment therefor including a member having a portion for interfitting engagement with the spindle and a projecting cylindrical portion providing a socket to receive the spindle end nut, said cylindrical portion having a seat to receive a regulatlngwheel ring in laterally offset relation to the spindle, means for securing the ring in position thereon, a support for attachment to the regulating wheel frame and a carrier unit pivoted to the support and having a portion projecting in overlying relation to the regulating wheel ring, and a securing portion projecting centrally thereof into the socketed portion of said cylindrical member, said carrier having a plurality of open ended work receiving pockets for lateral engagement and position: ing of a Work piece, the regulating wheel ring underlying the pockets for limitation of movement of the work pieces in one direction therein.

13. A rotary carrier mechanism for application to the regulating wheel unit of a centerless grinder including an adapter for engagement with the regulating wheel spindle having an axially aligned socket in part receiving the spindle nut, and having a terminal seat for a regulating wheel ring, a support for application to the regulating Wheel unit frame adjacent the spindle and a rotary carrier journaled in the support having an attaching portion projecting within the socket of the adapter and a work supporting portion projecting laterally in overlying relation to the regulating wheel ring, substantially as for the purpose before described.

14. The combination with a centerless grinder including opposed grinding and regulating wheels forming a work receiving throat therebetween, of a rotatable Work carrier having a Work supporting portion disposed in circumscribing relation to one of said wheels in intimate relation thereto, said carrier having a plurality of work receiving pockets formed therein and having a trueing bar recess formed in the inner face thereof intermediate certain of the pockets whereby a trueing device may be introduced to the wheel by way of the recess without re moval of the carrier.

15. A machine of the character described including a bed or support, a grinding wheel carried thereby rotatable at a high grinding rate of speed, a regulating wheel unit supported by the bed, a regulating wheel carried by the unit, a rotary work carrier circumscribing the regulating wheel, means for adjusting the parts as an entirety with respect to the grinding wheel, and means for independently adjusting the carrier and regulating wheel.

16. In a grinding machine the combination with a bed rotatably supporting a grinding wheel thereon, of a regulating wheel in oppofor supporting the work pieces in the pockets during the grinding operation.

17 A work supporting unit for use with a centerlcss grinder including a regulating wheel frame, a regulating Wheel carried thereby, a bracket secured to the frame, means for supporting Work pieces relative to the regulating wheel comprising a carrier, lateral flanges extending from the carrier, a closure plate engaging the free ends of the lateral flanges, pins for securing the'carrier and closure plate in spaced relation as determined by the flanges to form a plurality of pockets on the carrier bounded by the carrier, closure late and lateral flanges, and means carried y the opposed surfaces of the carrier and closure plate for positioning a work piece within the pockets.

18. A work supporting unit for use with a centerless grinder including a regulating wheel frame, a regulating wheel carried thereby, a bracket secured to the frame, means for supporting work pieces relative to the regulating wheel comprising a carrier, lateral flanges extending from the carrier, a closure plate engaging the free ends of the lateral flanges, pins for securing the carrier and closure plate in spaced relation as determined by the flanges to form a plurality of pockets on the carrier bounded by the carrier, closure plate and lateral flanges, means carried by the opposed surfaces of the carrier and closure plate for positioning a work piece within the pockets, a grinding Wheel opposed to the regulating wheel and forming a grinding throat therebetween, and means carried by the carrier securing pins for supporting the work in the pocket while in simultaneous engagement with the grinding and regulating wheel.

19. In a grinding machine of the class described, the combination of'a bed, a pair of opposed grinding and regulating Wheels carried thereby and forming a grinding throat therebetween, a work supporting mechanism for presenting work pieces in the grinding throat comprising a carrier circumscribing the regulating wheel and rotatable in a direction to pass the work circumferentially of the regulating wheel through the grinding throat to effect a stock removal from the work, and means for permitting a dwell in the move ment of the work while in contact with the grinding wheel.

20. In a grinding machine of the class described, the combination of a bed, a pair of opposed grinding and regulating wheels carried thereby and forming a grinding throat therebetween, a work supporting mechanism for presenting work pieces in the grinding throat comprising a carrier circumscribing the regulating wheel and rotatable in a direction to pass the work circumferentially of the regulating wheel through the grinding throat to eflect a stock removal from the work, and means for permitting a dwell in the movement of the work while in contact with the grinding wheel including a power intermittently actuating the work supporting mechanism and effecting the dwell thereby.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FREDERICK J. THELER. 

